"More importantly, the UBC can now spend more money lobbying Washington for protectionist legislation. On March 31—two days after the Carpenters left the AFL-CIO—the 1996 U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) expired. The Agreement had placed a quota on Canadian lumber imported into the United States, which kept lumber prices high; thereby protecting unionized U.S. lumber producers from competition. The Carpenters’ union and U.S. lumber interests, who anticipated the agreement’s expiration, quickly sprang into action."

"The 500,000-member carpenters' union cannot be ignored, either. For example, it is part of a new coalition that is petitioning the U.S. government for duties on the import of Canadian softwood lumber. It has joined with other unions and companies in the effort. "

"And we're actively involved in the issues of softwood timber imports, having already ensured that the talks will seek a fair deal for UBC members on both sides of the US-Canada border."

"The UBC remains firm in its support of fair trade and its opposition to free trade. The union does not and has not supported imposing duties on Canadian softwood lumber. We want a negotiated settlement and preferably the extension of the status quo, which helps our members on both sides of the border."

"[A] resolution that calls for 'open competition' for lumber without competition for timber is unbalanced and simply endorses the continuation of timber subsidies that injure U.S. mill workers and promotes over-harvesting in Canada." 
Boyd Young, Pulp-Allied Chemical Engineers (PACE), and Mike Pieti, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Association

click for these quotes, links and more
click for more on McCarron and Dubya